Merck Serono completes enrolment for MS drug trial

Merck Serono has completed the patient enrolment process for a forthcoming international clinical study of a promising new treatment option for multiple sclerosis (MS).

The company has recruited a total of 617 patients identified as being at high risk of contracting MS for treatment with Cladribine Tablets during the placebo-controlled phase III trial.

This study is intended to gauge the efficacy of Merck Serono's therapy in delivering benefits in terms of time to conversion to MS following a first clinical event suggestive of the illness.

It is hoped that this will add to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of the drug, which has already received regulatory approval in Russia and Australia.

Dr Bruno Musch, Merck Serono's head of global clinical development for neurodegenerative diseases, said: "This study will provide insight on the impact of Cladribine Tablets therapy on the course of MS when administered early in the disease process."

Earlier this month, the company was granted European regulatory approval for a new formulation of its growth hormone therapy Saizen, which is designed to be easier to administer than previously.